Tuesday, October 20, 2015

We try to stay as authentic to the period as possible but sometimes we have to make allowances for climate (there is no way anyone can wear 15 petticoats or more during the summer in the US and not get heatstroke.) So while I build my costumes and do my hair and makeup with attention to historical detail, I will not be achieving the pale white skin of a noblewoman according to the period by washing my face with mercury for a period – and poisonous – Elizabethan face wash. No thanks.

But I do have to wash my face at the end of a long fair day with something. It has to be something that contains ingredients that are not harsh which makes my rosacea flare. My cleanser also has to be strong enough to remove makeup mixed with sunscreen, sweat, and grime and clean my skin. I told you living history is a dirty business!

Block Island Organics is a family owned business that makes non-toxic
mineral sunscreens and after sun care products in Rhode Island. Not only
do they disclose every ingredient in their products on their web site
but they tell you why they chose them. Their products are
non-comedogenic, vegan formulated, paraben free, phthalate free, sulfate
free, packed with antioxidants (vitamin C and E,) , artificial
fragrance free, non-eye irritating, not tested on animals, and made in
the USA.

I used Block Island Organics Purifying Facial Cleanser to wash my face during my daily in real life and really put it to the test on the weekends after vigorously pretending like I formerly fake owned a small town in England. There was also rigorous hugging during a recent former performers reunion weekend.

I still have my pink hair. It is hidden by clip on bangs that are as fake as the vintage fur muff I use to keep my fingers from freezing off.

Trying to find a facial cleaner that is mild enough not to irritate my rosacea but also has enough oomph to clean the layers of makeup, sunscreen, sweat, and sometimes a misting of dust kicked up while performing in an open air venue is a challenge.

I’m happy to say Bock Island Purifying Facial Cleanser cleaned my face as it should the first go around (heavy stage makeup sometimes requires more than one wash.) My face did not feel dry like it does when I use pine tar soap.

I’ve been washing my face with it for a month before this review and haven’t had a minor breakout as you can see in the photo below. I don’t know if it is a matter of good luck, hitting a period where I am not sleeping in my makeup (bad me, ) or the Bock Island Purifying Facial Cleanser. I’m included to this it is a little bit of each.

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